Hi, the Capital One duo is looking like a much better deal than with the Chase trifecta, especially if you’re a CSR holder. With Chase reducing their benefits and trimming their bonus categories every year, I don’t see a point in keeping the Chase trifecta as your main source of points anymore. The Capital One duo + Bilt (if you rent), at least on paper, look amazing for travel points.
Wanted to know your opinion. Cheers!
How did chase trim their bonus categories?
Realistically everyone who is going to daily drive a trifecta should categorize their current spending, assign a value to points, and see which card sets maximize their value with google sheets or something. Make sure you factor in all of the credits you can reasonably spend and try to assign a conservative value to things like priority pass, travel insurance, hotel/rental status, etc. If you don’t care much about that make it zero.
When I did this Chase was second to the Amex trifecta because I can enough of the credits to cover the AF with minimal work.
I’m really debating on the Altitude Reserve. If you don’t travel the bonus annual credits can also be used on dining. Plus effective 4.5% back on contactless.
I had never heard of this card before. Thanks, I’ll take a look
This is going to sound backwards but hear me out: The Amex Trifecta (Platinum, Gold, BBP) can actually be a very good combo for less frequent travel, if you can effectively use the credits. You need to be already paying for Hulu, Disney plus, and some other entertainment credit options, be able to use the uber and grubhub credits (I get pickup once a month from each and use it easily). FHR is a great option for a weekend trip if you find one in the $200-$300 range due to all the benefits.
If you can justify the (very) high AF with the credits without spending more than you normally would, you get a lot of perks that you would only get by travelling a lot otherwise (hotel/rental status, more lounge access, FHR).
Absolutely, if someone uses the credits well, the Amex cards are great! I’m just trying to be more frugal in my life, which is why I can’t justify the price of said cards. And I don’t eat out that much.
Thanks
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In that case I would say take a look at the US Bank Attitude reserve if you are able to pay with mobile wallet.
Its really going to depend on your spending profile to determine which is better though the CSP and CSR target people who eat out and travel more.
Do you fly when you go on your 1 trip or drive? Another option would be to get one of the hotel cards. The Ritz Carlton card is basically a supercharged Marriott card with many of the same benefits as the CSR.
I usually fly to my destinations. I don’t live lavishly and like to stay in inexpensive lodgings when I’m traveling. The major area where I might spend points is likely on flights especially the longer flights which I might book a business class seat for.
Ha I’m the opposite, I’d fly economy to spend more on a bit nicer hotel.
The Ritz card gets Bonvoy points and has a couple benefits for super expensive Ritz stays but is still a great general Marriott card. It also has an airline incidental credit.
Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. The card does sound interesting
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The Bilt card actually works better with the Chase ecosystem than Capital One due to overlapping transfer partners (United, Hyatt, SouthWest)
Thanks, good to know